UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats men’s spikers dethroned defending champion Mafar-Barmm while Davao Optima retained the women’s title of the 6th Abreeza Kadayawan Open Volleyball Tournament recently.

The Wildcats, coached by Jhonathan Vanta, escaped past Mafar-Barmm, 25-17, 25-17, 22-25, 22-25, 15-8, in their championship match. It was UM’s second Abreeza title after winning its first in 2016.

Vanta said, “Wala mi nag-expect na magchampion kay naa sila 2 players na nagadula sa Spikers Turf sa Manila plus naa pa si Sarte. Kusog sila na team just recently napildi mi nila sa Ateneo na league (We didn’t expect to win the championship since the other team has players in the Spikers Turf in Manila aside from having veteran player Calvin Sarta. They are really a strong team, they defeated us in the Ateneo league).”

UM had rookies in its roster, thus, they did not expect having a good chance against Mafar-Barmm.

“We were optimistic and hoping na kaya namo sila mapildi (hoping that we could beat them). They just wanted to win and they created less error than the opponent,” he added in a Facebook Messenger interview with SunStar Davao Friday, September 13.

The team was composed of Fred Lhormand Maghinay, Romel Bughao, Charlon Gem Daan, Stephen Campo, Rex Paller, Artoniel Mahino, John Vincent Yson, Kayeanne Monares, Christian Kieth Sampinit, Vincent Dimalanta, Julyven Dayanan, Rhyan John Bansagan, Ernesto Dela Cerna, Mark Gil Malbas and Kester Ubaldo.

Albrycar Construction, meanwhile, placed third by outlasting University of Mindanao (UM) Tagum, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23.

In the distaff side, the Miraluz Joy de Leon-coached Davao Optima turned back UM Tagum, 25-17, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 15-13 in the finals clash.

UM Davao, for its part, spanked Saiha, 25-19, 25-16, in their battle for third.